naturalization

Landmark legal battle unfolds in Cyprus

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Landmark legal battle unfolds in Cyprus

The Attorney General of Cyprus has filed a petition to the Supreme Constitutional Court seeking the dismissal of Auditor General Odysseas Michaelides for inappropriate conduct. This legal battle will involve top legal professionals and is based on a regulatory provision from 2021. The case is unique as there is limited case law on requests for dismissal due to inappropriate behavior, with the only previous case involving former Deputy Attorney General Rikkos Erotocritou, who was criminally convicted. The Constitution does not clearly define what constitutes inappropriate behavior for the dismissal of officials at this level of constitutional protection. The Auditor General has 21 days to file an objection to the request for dismissal, and if the case reaches a hearing, old cases handled by the Legal Service will be brought up, with witnesses called to testify.

“Islamic State” in the occupied territories: Turkey’s plan for settlement and Islamization

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“Islamic State” in the occupied territories: Turkey’s plan for settlement and Islamization

Ankara aims to create a fully Turkish “Islamic region” in the occupied territories by strengthening the Turkish population and Islamizing the area. The transfer of settlers began in 1975 as part of this plan. The ongoing attempt to upgrade the pseudo-state with the goal of recognition is linked to the Islamization efforts. More mosques are being built than schools in the occupied territories, with imams mostly from Turkey. The Turkish plan also includes projects to transport water and electricity to the region. Erdogan has emphasized increasing the population of the occupied areas, with the goal of making Turkish presence the majority over Greek Cypriots through mass transfer and naturalization of settlers.

Ministry outlines new citizenship criteria

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Ministry outlines new citizenship criteria

The Ministry of Interior has announced the acceptance and examination of naturalization applications under the Population Registry (Amendment) Law of 2023. The qualifications for naturalization include legal and continuous residence for 12 months before applying, legal residence for at least 7 years in the previous 10 years, good character, knowledge of the Greek language at level B1, understanding of the Republic’s modern political and social reality, suitable accommodation, stable financial resources, and an intention to reside in the Republic. Different qualifications apply to individuals residing for high-skilled employment and their families, under Ministerial Council Decision 92.018 dated 15/10/2021, including companies with foreign interests, Cypriot shipping, high-tech/innovation, pharmaceutical, biogenetics, and biotechnology companies, and those registered in the Foreign Companies Registry. These qualifications include legal residence for 12 months before applying, legal residence for 4 or 3 years depending on Greek language proficiency (A2 or B1), and similar requirements as the general qualifications regarding character, language, knowledge of the Republic, accommodation, financial resources, and residency intention.